The Reliables:
David Barrows (saxophones, flute, laptop)
David was born in L.A. and now lives in London. He studied music at San Francisco State University and at the Ali Akbar Khan College of Music, and studied privately with Joe Henderson, Steve Coleman, Larry Schneider, Julian Siegel and Hal Stein.
He has toured North and South America and Europe and played in many ensembles including Quijeremá; earRotator; The Oakland Opera Theater; Undercover Ska; The Klezmorim; Klezmania of San Francisco; The Hornal Family Band and the Toybox Band, and in recent years has been gigging regularly with The Reliables and the Spanner Big Band in north London.
He has also appeared on numerous recordings as a saxophone sideman for artists such as The Spanner Big Band; Rafael Manriquez; Quijeremá; Jack Gates; Richard Lobb; The Loose Acoustic Trio; Maria Acuña; Klezmania of San Francisco; Mark Schleunes and London pianist and keyboardist Tim Jackson.
David has written many original songs, and composed and arranged music for narrative and documentary films, computer games including “Lego Island”, and his music has appeared in the BBC drama “The Driver”. He co-wrote songs that appear on Mark Schleunes’ CDs “Mongrel” and “The Future Was Fun”, arranged music for Quijeremá and for Quique Cruz’s documentary film “The Archaeology of Memory”, and wrote opera pieces for The Oakland Opera Theatre’s productions “Mask of Thorns” and the Lorca play “Así que Pasen Cinco Años”.
David is also the owner of indie label “Hounds of Renown Records”, on which he has produced six CDs, including two under his own name (“House Music”, and “Dead Man’s Cake”); and two collaborations with other musicians: the late great Rafael Manriquez (“Canto al Poeta”, poems of Pablo Neruda); and Mark Schleunes (an anti-war CD by “earRotator” entitled “Holy Empire”). In 2019 he released an original album of topical songs around climate change and other timely issues, entitled “The Species That Knew Too Much”. Also in 2019 Hounds of Renown Records was proud to release the debut CD of The Reliables entitled “Fuzzy Math”. Most recently he has been writing and producing new music with The Reliables.
Robert Pfeiffer (guitars, bass)
Robert has studied a wide range of musical styles ranging from Flamenco to classical, rock and Jazz. He has performed internationally, including tours in his native Germany and has appeared on broadcasts and numerous recordings. Recent recordings include albums with Jazz – fusion band “Beholder”, Indy Rock band “Doghouse” and a 2016 released musical meditation on the Lord’s prayer.
Robert is a regular song writer and vocalist and has worked with Jazz and Pop groups as a lead and backing singer. He has recently been collaborating with Dave Barrows on new music with The Reliables.